Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
In recognition of just how infrequent it is for a pitcher to throw a perfect game, the Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week is a hurler who in 1968 became the first American League pitcher in 46 years to experience perfection.
Jim “Catfish” Hunter was already a two-time All-Star when he threw his perfect game for the Oakland A’s against the Minnesota Twins. However, that performance served as the springboard to his emergence as one of the top pitchers of his era.
Depicting the workman-like attitude typical of pitchers of that time, Hunter averaged 37 starts and 16 complete games per season between 1967 and 1976. In 1975 he completed an amazing 30 of his 39 starts.
Given the nickname “Catfish” by then Kansas City Athletics owner Charlie Finley, Hunter was barely 18 when signed by the Athletics in 1964 and made his major league debut just a year later at age 19.
Hailing from Hertford, North Carolina, Hunter’s career almost didn’t happen.
A highly touted athlete, Hunter was injured in a hunting accident during his senior year. It resulted in the loss of one toe and in the lodging of shotgun pellets in his foot.
The accident scared away some major league clubs, but not Finley, whose team was based in Kansas City before he moved them to Oakland in 1968.
The A’s weren’t very strong in the late 1960s and despite making All-Star appearances in 1966 and 1967 and pitching a perfect game in 1968, Hunter was 55-64 in his first five seasons.
However, that began to change in 1970 as the young A’s started to emerge as a contender in the American League.
Hunter was 18-14 in 1970 and the following year posted the first of five-straight 20+ victory seasons.
The A’s won three straight World Series titles from 1972-74 and Hunter was 67-24 during those seasons.
The 1974 season was his apex as Hunter won the AL Cy Young Award while registering a 25-12 record and 2.49 ERA.
Following that season, Hunter was among the first players in the game to be declared a “free agent” and became the highest paid pitcher in the game when he signed with the New York Yankees.
Hunter earned his paycheck during his initial campaign in New York. His 30 complete games were the most in the league and he tied for the league-lead with 23 victories.
However, the toil of a decade of constant work started to take a toll on Hunter the following season.
He went 17-15 in 1976 as the Yankees reached the World Series before losing to the Cincinnati Reds.
Over the next three seasons, Hunter went 23-24 and was no longer a fixture of the starting rotation. He retired following the 1979 season.
With a 224-166 career record and 3.26 ERA, some questioned whether Hunter was deserving of induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Surprisingly, he didn’t have to wait long as Hunter reached the magic 75% mark in only his third year of eligibility.
Hunter died following a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 1999, but he has been immortalized in music and the movies. He was the subject of a 1975 song by Bob Dylan called “Catfish” and has been referenced in a number of movies including The Bad News Bears and You, Me and Dupree.
If you had a favorite athlete growing up that you would like to see featured as the Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Week, send me a nomination by e-mail.
I have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article.vitrin mankeni bloğu
It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks.sexy lingerie
This is such an incredible asset that you are giving and you offer it free of charge. I love seeing online journal that comprehend the benefit of giving a quality asset to free.SLOT GACOR
If it's not too much trouble, share more like that.SHIONAGA SLOT
There’s little that compares to the feeling of walking into aplace and being immediately comfortable, your shoulders loosen, your breathingLGBTbusinesses near me
Efficiently written information. It will be profitable to anybody who utilizes it, counting me. Keep up the good work. For certain I will review out more posts day in and day out.Panties
Basically to follow up on the up-date of this topic on your web site and wish to let you know simply how much I loved the time you took to generate this valuable post. Within the post, you really spoke of how to actually handle this matter with all ease. It would be my pleasure to collect some more ideas from your web page and come as much as offer other people what I learned from you. Many thanks for your usual terrific effort.cuevana
That would seem wholly great. Every one compact info are designed coupled with number of track record comprehension. Everyone loves the following a lot.24 std pflege
Very informative post. Your current Website style is awesome as well!wholesale marijuana
Fairly uncommon. Is likely to appreciate it for people who include community forums or anything, internet site theme . a tones way for the client to communicate. Excellent job..SIGHTCARE
When you utilise a reliable service, you have a choice in how information is sent, formatted, and directed.nighty
Hey there! Great post! Please do tell us when we shall see a follow up!PROSTADINE AUSTRALIA
I exactly got what you mean, thanks for posting. And, I am too much happy to find this website on the world of Google.جيلي امجراند2023
This type of is apparently absolutely outstanding. These kinds of tiny fact is made making use of wide variety regarding certification know-how. My partner and i favour the theory much.household gloves
This method is actually aesthetically truly the most suitable. Every one associated with tiny illustrates tend to be meant by way of numerous history abilities. I suggest the program quite a bit.Joint Restore Gummies
I respect this article for the well-informed content and superb phrasing. I got so engaged with this material that I was unable to quit perusing. I'm dazzled with your work and expertise. Much thanks.SLOT KAMBOJA
Merci beaucoup pour cet article. Perso je préfère les jeux de pistolets, et vous?Car FM Transmitter
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you.slotmantul
The site is looking piece gaudy and it gets the guests eyes. Configuration is straightforward and a decent easy to understand interface.SLOT OLYMPUS
Many thanks for this extraordinary post.best selling blythe dolls
I am incapable of reading articles online very often, but I’m happy I did today. It is very well written, and your points are well-expressed. I request you warmly, please, don’t ever stop writing.pressure washing dundee
You have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!! Thanks for sharing your views.
جيلي امجراند 2023</a
You have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!! Thanks for sharing your views.
جيلي امجراند 2023</a
I’m impressed, I must say. Truly rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you might have hit the nail within the head. Your notion is outstanding; ab muscles something that insufficient persons are speaking intelligently about. We’re very happy that I found this in my seek out something with this.PHENQ REVIEWS
That are surely wonderful. A large number of tiny essentials are created obtaining lot of reputation know-how. I am just looking towards an item tons.Fullz info
Good day. I'm so glad I came across your blog. Actually, I stumbled onto it when looking for another stuff on Google. But seeing as how I'm already here, I simply wanted to thank you for this wonderful essay and the rest of your website.sexy lingerie
Happy day. I'm so happy I found your blog. Actually, I found it by accident when searching for something else on Google. But since I'm already here, I just wanted to say thanks for this excellent essay and your website as a whole.bra
Good day. I'm so glad I came across your blog. Actually, I stumbled onto it on Google while seeking for something else. However, I'm here right now and I just wanted to thank you for this great essay and your website in general. bra push up
I would like to show my love for your kindness for those who should have help on in this topic. Your personal dedication to passing the message throughout appeared to be astonishingly useful and have usually enabled most people much like me to attain their targets. Your valuable useful information denotes this much a person like me and especially to my office colleagues. Thank you; from all of us.ต็องกี อึนดอมเบเล
Ordinary this submit is totaly unrelated to what I was looking out google for, nevertheless it was indexed at the first page. I suppose your doing something proper if Google likes you enough to place you at the first page of a non related search.ต็องกี อึนดอมเบเล
I’d need to examine with you here. Which is not something I often do! I enjoy studying a publish that can make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to remark!ต็องกี อึนดอมเบเล
I want to show some thanks to the writer for bailing me out of this setting. Just after researching throughout the search engines and meeting ways which were not pleasant, I thought my entire life was well over. Living minus the answers to the problems you have resolved as a result of your site is a serious case, and the ones that would have negatively damaged my career if I hadn’t noticed your web blog. Your main know-how and kindness in handling every part was priceless. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a subject like this. I can also at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks for your time very much for the skilled and sensible guide. I will not be reluctant to suggest your web sites to any person who should get guidelines about this topic.sightcare
dress shops that offer discounts are very common in our place and i always shop at them,.RED BOOST
I found that webpage very usefull and this review is very cirious, I ' ve never seen a blog that request a study for this activities, exceptionally inquisitive…gutter cleaning dundee
It's late finding this act. At least, it's a thing to be familiar with that there are such events exist. I agree with your Blog and I will be back to inspect it more in the future so please keep up your act.Buy Online Customized paint by numbers set
I wanted to say thanks for the fantastic read! I have you bookmarked to look at new things you post. I certainly enjoyed every part of it.sexy lingerie
With our monetary climate just how in which seriously is, To begin with . to arrange the basics of declaring bankruptcy under lack of employment perks. Options approach would be to make it clear how our lack of employment setup effective, precisely what the ordinary means accepting and rejecting conditions, then it include myths received from my own , unbiassed practical experience of what great procedures as well as the usual issues are having declaring bankruptcy under joblessness importance.REDBOOST
"Hi, I found your blog informative and valuable. Looking forward to more updates. If you want to If you're into the latest automotive trends, check out the site below as
They've got insights on vehicles like the جيلي امجراند 2023
"Your blog is informative and engaging. Keep up the good work! If you're into cars, check out below for insights on the latest models like the
اف جي 2023
I love the numerous blogposts, We critically loved, I'd like information about this, because it is quite fantastic., Regards regarding indicating.Kalaastar Yo Yo Honey Singh song
I definitely appreciate your blog. A superb work!Sportswear
I definitely appreciate your blog. A superb work!Sports Leggings
Without a doubt, I value your blog. Outstanding effort!اف جي 2023
Without a doubt, I value your blog. Outstanding effort!اف جي 2023
I definitely appreciate your blog. A superb work!Sportswear
I definitely appreciate your blog. A superb work!Sports Leggings
Liebesman’s choice of shooting this faux-documentary style makes the movie seem like a first-person shooter game at times, but works brilliantly in placing you right in the heart of the action.amiclear
Much obliged to you since you have been willing to impart data to us. we will constantly see the value in all you have done here since I realize you are extremely worried about our.togel macau
The examples below is definetly for instance glimmer brilliant. Each one of these insignificant issues are built utilizing wide variety of cornerstone knowledge. I spend time these folks a great deal.Startup Attorney
You can find dissertation web pages over the internet just like you receive ostensibly spotted while in the web-site.Telegram sohbet grupları